T9s consider what options might be available for Saab to jazz up the range a little and consider that a revival of the Viggen badge and the infusion of some Hirsch techonology might be the key to doing this in an inexpensive way.

Personally, I’m divided over a potential re-birth of the Viggen badge. I owned one. I loved it and still do today. But I also know that the press would fill their stories with references to negative vehicle attributes that are purely historical and would be irrelevant in a modern XWD-equipped Viggen. Simply put, I’d love to see the badge again if you could guarantee that it didn’t come with the baggage.

As for Hirsch, I’ve been lobbying for greater access to Hirsch parts in the USA and Australia for around three years now (here’s a biggie from earlier this year). Unfortunately, the arrangement with Hirsch doesn’t make it a fait accompli that it’s offered in all markets. The Saab organisation in each country needs to have Hirsch parts tested and approved prior to offering them in their jurisdiction because Hirsch equipped Saabs are still covered by the factory warranty.

Saab Australia have already done that homologation style work, around four years or so ago, yet they’ve delayed bringing Hirsch parts to Australia due to the small scale of our market. Earlier this year, we received intel to the effect that Hirsch would become available around mid 2009, however.

In the US, I’m sad to say that I’m not sure the top levels of SaabUSA are really aware of what Hirsch do. When I spoke with Steve Shannon about it last year he kept referring to “cold air induction kits”. To be fair, he had a general knowledge, but he also had a lot on his plate and getting across the finer details of a small scale tuner that might appeal to a minority of your already-small customer base wasn’t a task that was high on his list. Bottom line: Hirsch aren’t on SaabUSA’s radar, however right or wrong that might be.

The TS verdict: it’s an entertaining and very worthwhile read. If T9s position were possible then as a Viggen enthusiast I’d love it. I still tend to think, though, that Saab Performance by Hirsch might be the hi-po way of the future for Saab. If Saab could get to a point where Hirsch models could regularly be shown in Saab forecourts in all countries, I think that’d be a fantastic result not only for Saab, but for the guys at hirsch in Switzerland who do all the work, too.

Read the full story, with imagery, at TurboNines.

–

The most popular color over all in 2008 is the combination of white and white effects (e.g. pearlescents).

White certainly looks good on this particular car:

DuPont have produced a number of color charts showing the results of the color surveys in different regions of the world. I’ve reproduced a few of them below.

It’s interesting that white was a winner in the US, whilst across the pond in Euope, blacks were the most popular in 2008.

America/Europe? Chalk/Cheese?

Click to enlarge.

——

I was going to prepare a poll to accompany this post, but I don’t think it’d retain it’s relevance without tying it to a particular generation of cars, or perhaps the region.

So, what color is your Saab?

What model, what year? And what region are you in.

If we get enough responses I might try and collate them into some meaningful information.

——

1994 Saab 9000 – green
1985 Saab 900 – silver

Australia. Bewdy mate!

–

I gues the most important one is this one:

The White House and congressional Democrats on Tuesday night reached an agreement in principle on a $15 billion proposal for bailing out U.S. automakers and forcing them to restructure or fail, officials said.

Now I know that that sounds a lot like the news we heard the other day, but it is different. At last telling, the legislation was being drafted and the finer points were still up for argument. This is an agreement that can be voted on this week.

Democrats have arranged to have the House of Representatives vote on a bill as early as Wednesday and send it to the Senate for consideration.

Stability being the mother of survival, this is good news.

——

That was the important one.

This one’s the interesting one.

Richard Johnson is the Managing Editor of Automotive News, which means he probably spends his work day looking over the writing that other people do. Today, he wrote a few paragraphs about Saab and Volvo, and it really makes you appreciate that there’s still a fair bit of goodwill out there for Saab.

Here’s some excerpts.

Sunday morning, I sat down in a TV studio in suburban Detroit and stared into a camera lens that, in my mind at least, represented the entire Swedish population.

The program was “Agenda,” a kind of Swedish “Meet the Press.” The nation’s prime minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt, was also a guest, listening in as I took questions from “Agenda’s” Karin Hubinette…..

…..Hubinette got to her main point.

“Will a bailout of the Detroit 3 save Swedish jobs?”

As she asked the question, a poignancy in Hubinette’s voice registered over the satellite hookup. Just like us Americans, the Swedes are worried…..

…..Saab and Volvo have been poorly served by their American owners. At its peak in 1987, two years before GM took control, Saab sold nearly 50,000 cars in the United States. Last year it sold 32,711…..

….The two companies have given more to their owners then they’ve gotten in return. Volvo’s well-engineered platform architectures have been put to good use by Ford. Both companies have been a source of fresh talent.

Saab delivered Bo Andersson to GM. Andersson is a product of Sweden’s armed forces, and his militarylike cost-cutting regimen as head of global purchasing is one reason GM has held on as long as it has.

GM’s troubles with Saab might be traced back to the January 1990 press conference at which the American company was introduced as Saab’s 50 percent shareholder. David Herman, an American GM executive installed as CEO, was stumped when a Swedish journalist asked him what the Saab brand stood for.

GM, which later took 100 percent control, never did figure that out. Maybe the Swedes wouldn’t have known what to do with the quirky brand either, but they had done pretty well until then…..

….Truth be told, I’d like to see Saab and Volvo once again become smart, independent Swedish companies, finding their way in a world of giants as they had done for so long. After two decades of consolidation and brand-hoarding in the auto industry, there is still scant evidence that size matters all that much.

There could be a fair bit of truth in that last sentence. Companies need to be big enough to do the necessary R&D, but sheer size doesn’t guarantee that you’re insured against a downturn.

Brains and preparedness go a long way towards that end.

——

Thanks Turbin!

–

No-one’s knows if there’s going to be a full-on Saab Festival in 2009, but I hope a lot of you have some holiday time marked down for June and just roll up anyway. I’ve got my eye on it already.

The Saab Museum was the hub of activities during the 2007 Saab Festival and walking around in there for those few days was an absolute treat.

I received an email from a guy named Marek, who I’m assuming works for or owns a company called Vistrad, who produce some of those fantastic virtual tours and scrolling photography that you see online from time to time.

Marek must also be a Saab fan, as he’s made up this panoramic virtual tour of the Saab Museum based on photos he took there in November 2008. He says it’s his gift to Saab fans, something for which we should all be thankful

This is like one of those 360 degree views, but instead of a small space like a room or a car interior, it’s the wide clean spaces inside the Saab Museum.

Here’s a few screenshots. Click here to visit the Saab Museum Virtual Tour.

And thanks, Marek!!!!

——

Related content: my own tour film from the Saab Museum. June 2007.

–

Need advice on wheels for 9-3SS V6 XWD, plse. I’ve recently bought one with sports suspension, 18″ wheels and larger brakes. The wheels are basically the same as in Turbo X. The idiots at local Saab dealer (Warsaw, Poland) said any 17″ Saab wheels would be ok as winter wheels. To my (and their) astonishment – standard 17″ wheels were too small for larger front brakes. Does anyone know which 17″ wheels (if any) can be used in this model?

I have a feeling that you’re going to need to get 18s if you’ve got the bigger brakes, but I know little about these things.

So it’s over to the techie people……

——

Having a look at nearest English-language car configurator to yours, with that model the smallest wheels you can order are the 18s. And with the 345mm performance brake kit, I’d tend to think 18s are the smallest for exactly the reason you’re now facing – your brakes are huge!

Despite your wheel issues, Filip, enjoy the Aero!!!!

–

Report 1 – The good news:

Chinese car maker Chery Automobile Co has no plan to buy U.S. auto assets, its chairman was quoted as saying by state media on Tuesday.

Chery, which secured a 10 billion yuan ($1.45 billion) bank loan from the China Import-Export Bank this week, will use the money to improve its product quality rather than buying auto assets in the United States, Yin Tongyao told the Shanghai Securities News on the sidelines of a company event.

When they say “US assets”, they’re including Saab and Volvo.

I have a deep and abiding fear of Saab being bought out by a Chinese company, so it’s good news to me if we can strike one off the list.

There’s lots more where they came from, however, as Vovlo are finding out at the moment.

Report 2:

Ford Motor is in talks to sell its Volvo car business to its China partner Changan Automobile Group, the National Business Daily reported on Tuesday, citing an unnamed source at the Chinese company.

Changan president Xu Liuping held discussions with Ford and Volvo during last month’s auto show in the Chinese city of Guangzhou, the newspaper said.

The report did not provide details of the talks, but quoted an unidentified Changan executive as saying there was a chance for a deal. Changan is one of China’s six biggest auto groups.

——

The road seems so clear now that Kroymans have dropped their European importation of Cadillac, Corvette and Hummer.

1. GM Europe take a decision to stand up to the guys in Detroit and say Cadillac in Europe is a waste of money, especially in this economic climate.

2. The newly appointed Car Czar agrees.

3. The Swedish government provide their loan guarantees for Saab’s continued production planning.

4. Work commences post-haste on a replacement for the Saab 9-3. The new, smaller Saab that the company really needs.

5. We all sit in the sun by the river in Trollhattan and watch the passers-by, pass by.

What is so hard about any of this?

——

Note spotted by the punch-in clock at Saab in Trollhattan (truly):

Dear collegues,

Due to the current financial situation and the general aim of cutting cost and saving energy, the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched off until further notice.

Regards,

Upper management

An oldie but a goodie.

——

Trollhattan Saab is now on Twitter.

I have very little idea as to what I’m actually doing with it, but I think it’ll automatically generate a ‘tweet’ when a new post goes up. I’ll probably preview some posts, too, with some witty one-liners.

If you prefer to tweet than to RSS, then it might be for you.

And please don’t get mad if I don’t follow you on Twitter. My tweeting time will be limited. It’s always best to get me via email.

——

Here’s a bloody good article on Saab from Auto Savant.

The article is all about relating the gaping hole in Saab’s range right now to the hole that was left after they stopped making the Saab 96. I was a little angry when I first read it, thinking that they were talking down the Saab 99 (which is still my favourite Saab model, btw).

I got over it.

It’s a good thinker of an article and congratulations to them for coming up with it. Makes that case for the new 9-3 all that much more relevant.

——

Remember Lance Cole’s article on the Saab 91 Safir?

Olav in Norway – who always takes the long road home – has sent through some screenshots of his Saab 91 Safir. He picked it up on Microsoft’s Flight Simulator.

Compare these to the photos in Lance’s article. Aside from the color scheme it’s a dead ringer!

–

Saab have a great track record for making some great wheels and unlike other manufacturers, they haven’t always been expensive add-on options.

Here’s a brief look at some of Saab great wheels over the years. Yet another reason why I love these cars.

——

Early cars got a simple steel wheel with an elegant pressed steel hubcap.

Some early Saabs also had minilites available, which looks stunning on 96s and 99s. Here’s a customised set on a souped up 96.

Saab Sonetts and 99 EMSs saw the most frequent use of the classic Saab soccerball wheel.

The Saab 99 Turbo saw the debut of the Inca, which also carried through to the earliest Saab 900 Turbos. It’s one of the most unique wheel designs ever, but a pain in the butt to clean and re-paint.

The first 900 Aeros saw the advent of the classic Saab three spoke:

…..And the three spoke evolved over the years. This is one of the most desireable Saab wheels of all time, the super aero 16-inch as seen on a beautiful 9000 Carlsson

The directional three spoke was common on the second generation Saab 9000, but looked best on the late model Saab 900

The 1990s saw further evolutions of the three-spoke theme:

More recently, Saab have explored 5-spoke designs, or evolutions thereof. Saab’s 9-3 Viggen wheels were notoriously soft, but looked fantastic with their shadow-chrome effect paint.

Ten-spoke wheels have also been featuring recently, opening up the five-spoke patterns of earlier years

Whilst the 10-spokes look alright, I prefer the six spokes of a few years ago. These took the idea of the old three-spoke wheels in a new direction, with two sets of threes.

The now-classic double-Y is one of the best

….and even the Turbo X explores the double-three idea:

In the future – will the finally bring a turbine wheel into production????

And of course, what wheel pictorial would be complete without the Saab space saver spare?

–

These photos were all sourced from Flickr and I apologise to the originators, but I neglected to get links for them on this occasional. They were sourced simply by doing a search for ‘Saab’ and going through around 40 pages of images.

Again, my apologies. If there’s any objections I can remove a particular photo upon request.

–

Saab are a small company, as you’ll all know, but a few stories on the web this week drove home just how small they are.

First of all, Kroum sent me this story from Yahoo Buzz, who have ranked the marques from each of the big three in Detroit in order of search requests via the Yahoo engine:

1. Ford is more than twice as popular as…
2. Saturn, which has a few more lookups than…
3. Dodge, a company that is holding a small search lead over…
4. Chevrolet, GM’s biggest brand, which is about a third more popular than…
5. Jeep, a 4×4 company, which draws a few more queries than…
6. GMC, which also makes trucks and SUVs, unlike…
7. Cadillac, the luxury mainstay, which draws a similar number of searches to…
8. Chrysler, which boasts more queries than…
9. Hummer, but the eco-warrior’s worst enemy does beat…
10. Volvo, a safety-first company that’s slightly more popular than…
11. Pontiac, which may want to bring back the Fiero if they want to stay ahead of…
12. Lincoln, Ford’s luxury arm, which struggles in Search but still fares better than…
13. Mercury, whose smattering of lookups still tops…
14. Buick, which recently parted ways with Tiger Woods, but is more popular than…
15. Saab, the swanky GM brand that is dead last in the Yahoo! Search auto wars.

I can tell you all from my own experience that on a proportional basis, this website gets remarkably less search engine traffic than many websites, with around a 40% of traffic coming from search traffic and another 40% from direct draffic (i.e. regulars). The remaining visitors coming through referrals from other sites.

Website stuff aside, then, one of the curses of beig so small is that it’s hard to get noticed. You can do something first and it will barely rate a mention.

When one of the big players in a marketplace does it, it makes for a front page story on the motoring section of the news.

Australia’s favourite car could be fuelled by a combination of grass clippings and household waste in the future under an ambitious plan by Holden to reduce its reliance on foreign oil.

Holden chairman and managing director Mark Reuss says the company will release a version of its Commodore large car that ran mostly on ethanol by 2010.

It has also started talks with a US company about building a pilot ethanol plant in Australia that turns grass clippings, woodchips and general household waste into ethanol.

Reuss says the E85 (an blended fuel that is 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent petrol) Commodores will be available with V6 and V8 engines and will produce more power than the current cars because of the fuel’s higher octane rating.

The full story is here and of course, there’s no mention of Saab BioPower in it – despite the fact that it’s also a GM product and despite the fact that BioPower is already on sale here and Saab owners in Sydney have been running theirs on E85 for some months now.

I would love to have a chance to turn Saab into the mouse that roared. Just once. To get people at the bigger GM players like Holden, Opel and (I’m sure) Chevrolet and Cadillac to pay Saab some respect would be very satisfying.

–

Jan-Ake Jonsson has come out saying that an all-out sale is lower down on the list of options they’re exploring right now. In addition to that, GM might get through their expedited “review” and decide they’re better off keeping Saab.

And in addition to that, that the current climate means that GM may not get a decent return for Saab as other companies are suffering, too, and will want to strip any purchase to the lowest amount possible.

BUT….let’s dream anyway, shall we?

The following images are taken from a slightly out-of-date automotive family tree diagram, which you can bamboozle yourself with in full over at Jalopnik if you so desire. Taking snippets like this means that you don’t get the full impression of joint ventures and other relationships, but you’ll get the gist of it.

Click on the thumbnail to see the full (slightly outdated) relationship diagram for each group.

——

General Motors

As mentioned at the top, it may not be all over for Saab within General Motors. GM have put Saab under review and Fritz Henderson has come out saying that they will explore all options, including a sale of Saab to another company. Jan-Ake Jonsson says there have been a number of expressions of interest, but won’t so say who.

Despite all this, Saab may still stay with GM. Saab made a US$360m loss last year, which in automotive terms is very nearly a profit! They’ve got two all-new vehicles well into development (9-5 and 9-4x) and an alternate version of an existing vehicle (the 9-3x) due early next year.

GM may just find that the global crisis is hitting potential buyers hard enough that they won’t get a desireable purchase price. In that instance, and with revenues due to increase soon thanks to those new models, they might just try to hold on and convince the US Congress that it’s worthwhile doing so.

On the downside, GM have only recently shown the beginnings of understanding Saab. They say they’re committed to it but then they undermine that commitment by pouring heaps of funds into a doomed-from-the-start promotion of Cadillac in Europe. If they keep Saab, will they really commit to making it what it can be?

TS verdict:

Potential – Medium to High, though it could well turn out to be Low.
Probability – Quite possible
Desireability – Low

——

Ford or Chrysler:

Let’s not go there, shall we. But here are their diagrams anyway.

——

BMW:

BMW actually have room in their portfolio and I’m sure they’ve got plenty in the way of reserves, too. They’re no stranger to working with GM, having been part of a joint venture to develop the two-mode hybrid system that GM use in their hybrid SUV’s now.

Saab could provide an outlet for those who want a BMW-sized vehicle but with front-wheel-drive versatility, which is an option that their other two marques don’t offer. Saab could also offer further turbocharging expertise seeing as how BMW are getting into that more and more now. Much as I hate to say it, a link with BMW would also provide an instant lift to market perceptions towards Saab, as well.

Downside – BMW just don’t need it. Or they don’t think they do, even if they could benefit from it in some markets. The downside for Saab would be being associated with one of the larger companies to offend the cockometer.

TS verdict:

Potential – Medium
Probability – Low
Desireability – Hausfrau

——

Honda:

This is a fascinating one on a number of levels. Honda are a well respected brand in most facets. They’re an engine company that makes cars, amongst other things, and people generally love their products. They are the Japanese brand that’s sporting, yet unpretentious, and their luxury line is – generally speaking – a genuine extension of their regular offerings rather than a pure rebadge like some others.

Honda could definitely benefit from Saab’s safety expertise and I’m sure they’d be interested in Swedish hybrid and flexfuel developments, too. They’re big in Asia and the US, but my impression is that they’re not so big in Europe, though still a player. I’m sure they wouldn’t mind enhancing their status there.

I can’t think of a downside, though I’m sure a few of you can. Personally, a Honda is one of the few Japanese cars I’d consider for my own garage.

TS verdict:

Potential – High
Probability – Unknown, probably Low
Desireability – High

——

Daimler:

I’m tired of this one before I even start writing about it.

I suppose Mercedes could use a smaller, FWD brand in some sort of way, but I can’t imagine for what – and I’m sure they can’t imagine a use for it either. They believe they’re perfect as they are. And if you think Opel have stripped Saab of much of their engineering prowess, I can’t imagine what Daimler would do. There’d barely be a shred of Saab’s identity left, I wouldn’t think.

For some reason this just doesn’t sit well at all and aside from that, I just can’t imagine it happening.

TS verdict:
Potential – Low
Probability – Lower
Desireability – Ocean depths

——

Proton:

This one is a favourite of 1985Gripen and I can see why, though I can’t necessarily see it happening. Proton was started by order of the Malaysian government and is now publicly traded, but the Malaysians want to be more of a player in the Asian marketplace. Protons themselves are nothing to get charged about, but the company also owns a majority stake in Lotus, which is where it gets really interesting.

Proton have let Lotus stay in England and Lotus are still regarded as a highly desireable sports car, as well as a sought-after engineering firm. The fact that Lotus are still regarded worldwide as essentially an English company is testament to Proton’s ability to let a company get on with doing what they do.

On the downside, Lotus are a smaller company to swallow than Saab, and Proton aren’t that big themselves. Additionally, they’ve suffered sales slumps in recent years so in the current climate would be even less likely to be interested.

TS verdict:
Potential: Definitely
Probability: Low-ish
Desireability: Olsen twins. Clear and present danger for tragedy, but you can’t help but look anyway.

——

Porsche/VW:

Oh my, I think I just dribbled on my keyboard.

Sweet salivation!

Contrary to popular belief, Porsche do not currently own Volkswagen. They own the single largest stake, at just over 45% and they have the definite and stated intention of increasing that to 75%, but only when the prices of VAG shares come back down.

Therein lies the tragedy for Saab lovers. Porsche, on their own, would make the perfect parent for Saab and Saab could compliment their vehicle lineup like a glove. Imagine sporting-plus-luxurious sedans and hatches leading a path to what many consider to be some of the best sportscars in the world today. No more need for a wierd looking Panamera or the brand-diluting Cayenne.

And for Saab, their engineers could work with some of the fussiest and finnicky engineers in the world to extend a good range of cars into a fantastic range of cars.

Sadly, Porsche will take over Volkswagen in the medium term and have no need for Saab in those circumstances, but it would be so good.

TS Verdict:

Potential: Massive, for Saab at least
Probability: Sadly, very low
Desireability: Schwinnnnngggg!!!

——

Toyota:

They don’t scare me like Mercedes Benz do, but they scare me nonetheless. Toyota remind me of a Japanese version of the Borg collective, a characterisation I used to use for GM.

The upside is that they’re cashed up and could probably see a genuine European label as something of value. They might also benefit from Saab’s safety expertise and I’m sure they’d like to get one over the General.

I just don’t think they’d be interested, though. And I fear that Saab would become uninteresting as a result of Toyota being in charge, too. I’ve rarely seen an interesting Toyota. When considering all the cars I’d like to own before my driving life ends, I discovered that I could just barely place an MR2 on the list, but only if a decent Honda CRX wasn’t available.

TS Verdict:

Potential: Probably high
Probability: Low
Desireability: Zzzzzzzz

——

Renault and/or Nissan

This is another fascinating one on a number of levels. Just how many frequent flier miles can Carlos Ghosn chalk up and should they get into airlines, too?

Renault and Nissan own stakes in one another, and as you can see, there’s other operations in the mix. Curiously, they’ve both managed to retain their identities whilst building some white hot cars (the new Z) and some very…..quirky (eek!) cars as well.

Somehow this alliance works despite the fact Renault doesn’t have a US presence. An acquisition of Saab could be a small foot in the door in that regard. With France having a growing interest in biofuels, Saab would be appealing from that front as well. Saab would also provide a more upscale presence that Renault lack to a degree.

The downsides: I’m no European but I’ve heard enough stories about French labour unions to scare me witless. Though Renault and Nissan retain their own identities as partners in an alliance, I’d imagine a Renault transaction with Saab would be a buyout, not an alliance (though it’s an attractive option if there were another willing party) and Saab’s Swedish identity could be hijacked at the insistence of French unions.

It should be noted here that Renault have been asked about their level of interest by the media and promptly smacked the reporter on the head with a baguette before riding off on a bicycle. I believe “Non” was the answer.

TS Verdict:

Potential: definitely
Probability: Medium
Desireability: Medium

——

Hyundai

Hyundai are building some good vehicles nowadays. Their new Genesis thingy has people genuinely buzzing. They have a very strong corporate culture, a wide industrial base and like other Asian manufacturers, they could probably see some value in having a genuine European brand under their wing.

Ah, who am I kidding?

Hyundai are like the brussel sprouts of the car business. Apparently they’re good for you but it’s a rare person that really likes them.

They might have money (they might not, too) but they’ve got no soul when it comes to the car business. They need to go out and do something extraordinary. Until then, I’m just not interested.

TS Verdict:

Potential: Medium
Probability: Unknown, could be anything
Desireability: What?

——

FIAT

This is a scenario that I just can’t help being attracted to.

I own an Italian car. I’m sure they screw them together better nowadays, but my Italian car falls apart just a little bit more with every pebble I drive over. The build quality is just shocking. The interior materials and design are both horrendous (again, definitely not so in a modern Alfa) and rumour has it that you can only tell if your Italian is working by the rate of oil leakage (surprisingly, not a problem for me).

Despite all these drawbacks, I absolutely adore my Italian car and I’ll cry like a baby when I eventually give it up. I may even wet my pants. It’s incredibly engaging to drive, with an engine that’s as mad as a barrel full of bats.

This is what Italians do. They wave their arms, talk a mile-a-minute at fighter-jet volumes and yet somehow, you can’t help but love them. Has there ever been a more lovable evil person than Vito Corleone? I rest my case.

Somehow, Saab managed to work with Fiat in the past, and work with them very well, too. The thought of them getting together with a vastly more organised Fiat is tantalising indeed, though one can’t help but feel that Fiat are always just one bad period away from complete collapse.

Fiat are looking to try the American market once again and Saab’s presence there could be an attractive, albeit small, foot in the door.

It’d also have the added benefit of me not having to be occasionally shamed in Saab circles by my Alfa.

TS Verdict:

Potential: High
Probability: Unknown, but possibly moderate
Desireablity: Medium-High

——

Peugeot / Citroen:

This is another fascinating one, though probably less so than the Renault version.

It has the same benefits in being able to manage and even encourage things that are considered to be non-mainstream.

The same concerns arise with regard to Saab’s identity being preserved, as well as their Swedish base.

The same opportunities arise with Saab’s US connections if Citroen want to try a venture into the US market (and of the two, I think Citroen would be the most likely to try).

Despite all this, the thought of Saab being taken over by PSA just doesn’t register whatsoever on my emotional radar.

TS Verdict:

Potential: Unknown
Probability: Unknown
Desireability: Unknown

——

Fuji Heavy Industries

They’re 20% owned by Toyota these days, but that’s no reason to eliminate the possibility of the Saaburu arising again. Did that sentence make you wince?

Actually, many people consider Subaru to be the closest thing to Saab in character. Subaru build reliable AWD cars with no small amount of character, though personally I’m not into them (even after spending four months in a WRX earlier this year).

Both are familiar with turbocharging. Both have strong safety credentials. Both have rallying success in their past.

Too similar?

TS Verdict:

Potential: Medium
Probability: Unknown, Low
Desireability: Meh

——

Prodrive/Virgin

Here’s one out of left field, suggested by Turbin via email and in comments. It’s an interesting proposition:

Branson has been paying more than lip service to ethanol, has an emotional stake in the brand and could even be looking for a chance to play in the auto sandpit.

Dave Richards has been called the ‘Branson of Motorsport’. Through his interest in Prodrive and more importantly Aston Martin there is serious potential.

How about Saab as the green Aston Martin solution??

* AM logo has wings. Saab needs a new one.
* Virgin is into jets and ethanol.
* AM platfrom would make for a wicked Aero-X
* These guys have guts and vision.
* AM and Saab are both incredibly style driven backed with real performance.
* Prodrive could make some wicked Saab rally cars.
* Use AM to help lift Saab to the premium player it pretends to be.
* Branson/Richards, performance and adventure.

TS Verdict:

Potential: Huge
Probability: Miniscule
Desireability: Schwinnngiddy-ding!!

——

Various car companies from Russia and China

No.

In every way, no.

I don’t know why, but something seems….dirty…..about the thought of Saab being an emerging market’s plaything. again, like the Hyundai argument, I’d like Saab to go to someone with a track record, someone who understands and values a carmaker’s heritage.

A Russian buyer would probably be much more palatable than a Chinese buyer, but I can’t help but think that it’d just be temporary and heartbreaking (Russian ownership of TVR comes to mind).

It’s always possible, too, that a Chinese acquisition could take the form of the Malaysian acquisition of Proton, with the company financed and allowed to do its thing. I guess that for that reason alone I’d probably try and accept it, at least until evidence to the contrary arose.

No diagrams for this one. I don’t want to encourage anyone.

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Well, that’s it for me.

I’m sure you’ve all got your thoughts to contribute (again).

Let fly!

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Part One

Part Two:

Part Three: